Scroggins and Berner Share Coach of the Year Honors

Posted: Wed 5:19 PM, Jan 09, 2008

By MALCOLM C. KNOXAssociated Press Writer LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - Way back in September, there probablyweren't many people who expected successful seasons for LouisvilleCentral's and Fort Campbell's football teams. The Yellowjackets andFalcons had a combined record of 0-4. But even then both head coaches, Ty Scroggins of Central andShawn Berner of Fort Campbell, say they didn't worry. "When that boat starts to rock, don't be the first one to getoff the boat," Scroggins told his players. Despite the early losses, Scroggins and Berner knew they had theplayers to win. They proved it in December, winning the firstfootball state championship for each school. The Yellowjackets beatBelfry 27-17 in the in the 3A final, while the Falcons edgedNewport Central Catholic 21-7 to claim the 2A crown. For their achievements Scroggins and Berner were chosen asKentucky High School Football Coaches of the Year by the AssociatedPress. The similarities for Berner and Scroggins extend farther thanslow starts and awards. The championships their teams wonrepresented more than just the players and coaching staff, theysaid. The Fort Campbell players come from military families. Twelveplayers had parents deployed overseas during the championship game. Scroggins credits the military upbringing for the character ofhis players. "They're intelligent, overachievers," he said. "Anything theydo, they want to do well." Cadiz radio station WHBO broadcast the championship game overthe Internet so soldiers overseas could listen. "I think we represent more than Fort Campbell, without adoubt," Berner said. "I think they represent the armed forces asa whole." The Yellowjackets are also ambassadors for more than just theirschool, Scroggins said. Central was one of a few schools black students in Louisvillecould attend before busing, and counts among its alumni MuhammadAli and Lenny Lyles. Scroggins is constantly greeted and thanked by people who wereCentral students long before he got there, he said. One formerstudent in his 60s, Scroggins estimates, was particularly moved,the coach said. "We had a guy who said he sat in the stands and just cried,"he said. When he talks about the significance of their championship,Scroggins almost sounds like he and Berner could be reading fromthe same script, with the appropriate school filled in, of course. "It's way bigger than the school," he said. "It's way biggerthan me." As much as winning football games, Scroggins said he wanted tochange the negative perception of the school. He had his playerswear ties to school on game days, except for homecoming, and onroad trips. Scroggins has received calls after games from theiropponents, complimenting his players on their look and behavior, hesaid. "Now people say there are positive things that go on atCentral," Scroggins said. "The perception of Central was notwhere it should have been, but now I think it is." Other coaches who received votes for Coach of the Year were MarkBrown of John Hardin; Ben Bruni, Warren East; Jack Haskins, LoneOak; Dudley Hilton, Bell County; Wayne Lohaus, Fulton City; andPaul Rains, Lex. Catholic.

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